Washing a wool jacket.

[cam2s]

I have a black wool suit jacket that I would like to at a minimum refresh but preferable wash. I’ve taken it to the dry cleaners before but is it possible to wash at home? I could steam it in the dryer as well but it has been a while since it’s been cleaned. I didn’t see any washing instructions on the inside just a label that says pure virgin wool. Thanks for any thoughts or considerations!

Cameron

 

[launderess]

While you "can" do anything with that jacket

There may be issues like shrinking, distortion, etc.... Also how are you going to dry and finish (press, iron, etc...) jacket after washing to restore it back to normal?

Structured and other wool or woolen garments shouldn't be cleaned that often (nor do they require anyway). Many recommend for fine gentlemen's suits, trousers, jackets etc... to brush and air (in fresh air if possible) after wearing, then allow garment to rest for a few days between wearings. At best things should be cleaned once a season (if that) before being laid up for say summer.

For refreshing have you looked into Dryel?

https://www.amazon.com/At-Home-Cleaning-Starter-CHANGING-PAR/dp/B00FZP2G3Y

 

[cam2s]

I know wool garments don’t need washed as often. I don’t wear the jacket all that much but it has been several years since it’s been to the cleaner. I guess my question was if I washed in the washer would it need to be hand wrung out and left to hang dry or laid flat? I’ve used dryel in the past, my Maytag Maxima dryer does have a steam system that works very well for this sort of thing. Perhaps the dryel has extra Cleaning agents or something in it?

 

[launderess]

One never wrings wool or woolens, but gently squeezes water out after washing in water. Of course things can also go through a mangle, and or there is always spin drying (extraction).Woolens/wool garments are always dried flat. However there are dryers with wool programs on offer for both commercial and domestic use.

If your washing machine has a woolens/wool cycle it may suffice in terms of washing. Indeed many new front loaders are certified by Woolmark or similar for wet cleaning wool/woolens.

Again problems likely are material may shrink, and or require finishing beyond what you can do at home. Of course if one knows what they are doing then there are ways around that as well. That is if you have a laundry press, or know how to press wool with a press cloth and iron....

Not cleaning a wool jacket for several years isn't necessarily bad. More so if it has been well maintained and isn't stained with food or beverage soils.

Think about it; you are wearing a jacket not next to bare skin, but over other clothing. Those "under garments" so to speak take larger hit in terms of body soils.

https://www.woolmark.com/about-wool/wool-care/cleaning-a-wool-suit/

 

[angus]

hard to tell without seeing the entire jacket. However, if it's structured like a sport coat or blazer, likely there are facings inside the jacket behind the lining and those shouldn't be submerged or washed since you may experience shrinkage and linings/facings won't shrink at the same rate. I would recommend brushing with a tailor's brush (soft brass bristles, steam if you like and hang outdoors to freshen. If necessary, dry clean but I don't think washing even by hand is a good idea unless you know exactly how it is constructed and what's underneath the lining.

 

[cam2s]

Thank you for the input. I think I’ll just steam it in the dryer and if it needs Cleaning otherwise I’ll take it to the dry cleaners.

 

[launderess]

Quite honestly you're better off luv.

I'd start with something not so dear if going to wash a wool jacket at home, to see where things went. Thus if ruined not so much out of pocket.

If truly wanting to go down wet cleaning wool and woolen items at home many of TOL and even MOL washers, (especially from European brands), offer certified cycles. Indeed many heat pump dryers now offer special cycles for drying wool.

 

[johnb300m]

Honestly I'd just take it to the cleaners. It's worth the price in the end.
One of the suits I had, was dry cleaned at least 1-2x a year, for almost 10yrs, since I wore it to lots of parties and weddings, and got many a drink spilled on it.
The jacket only started to look a bit worn around yr 8. All the shaping pieces inside stayed in tact.
If you find a good cleaners, with good ratings, they'll take good care of it.
I love trying to wash things at home, but some things like this I don't think are worth it.